ARTICLE #21) JESSICA FOSTER: Mom won't give up hope daughter still alive

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
JESSICA FOSTER: Mom won't give up hope daughter still alive
The Kamloops Daily News by Jason Hewlett

The discovery of two bodies in a Nevada desert caused tense moments for a Kamloops woman whose daughter disappeared in Las Vegas almost two months ago.

While Glendene Grant refuses to give up hope that her daughter, Jessica Foster, 21, is still alive, the private investigator on the case believes otherwise.

“I still don’t think she’s dead,” Grant said Monday.

“I didn’t feel that dread when they (the North Las Vegas Police Department) called. If she’s gone then I need to fee that dread. I haven’t felt that yet.”

Grant received the call at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A detective explained the bodies of two women were found Saturday morning in the desert in Henderson, Nev., southeast of Las Vegas.

The detective said an autopsy confirmed neither of the bodies was Jessica and that the case is still under investigation.

Although relieved by the news, it has created a window Grant doesn’t want to look through.

“It does open up the other possibilities that are out there,” she said quietly.

Mike Kirkman, a veteran Las Vegas private investigator hired by Grant and her ex-husband Dwight Foster, said he doesn’t believe this story will have a happy ending.

“I think this has been looking less like a missing-person situation for the last two months,” Kirkman said.

“I think Jessie’s been murdered.”

Jessica started dating a man who may be a pimp shortly after moving to Las Vegas more than a year ago. His wife is a known prostitute who allegedly threatened Jessica on numerous occasions.

The boyfriend told Kirkman Jessica left with all her possessions on March 27, the same day she disappeared. Jessica didn’t have a car or any other way to strike out on her own.

Kirkman has shared his fears with the family but understands why they aren’t ready to give up hope.

“What this family needs is something to bring them closure and what will bring them closure is to find Jessie dead or alive,” he said.

Grant has organized a backyard dinner for June 17 to help finance Kirkman’s investigation.

The dinner starts at 4 p.m. at Grant’s house at 834 Dominion St. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. The meal includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables. There will be hamburgers and smokies for the kids.

For more information call Grant at 374-6137.